World War II in the Philippines: A timeline

Caption

Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times

Rather than risk the lives of thousands in fighting, Manila was declared an "open city" during World War II, meaning there would be no resistance to the invading Japanese around Christmas 1942. But it did see battle in 1945.

Rather than risk the lives of thousands in fighting, Manila was declared an "open city" during World War II, meaning there would be no resistance to the invading Japanese around Christmas 1942. But it did see battle in 1945. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)

The Manila Hotel, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012, was the home of Gen. Douglas MacArthur for nearly six years. He had a suite at the hotel while serving as military advisor to the government of the Philippines.

The Manila Hotel, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012, was the home of Gen. Douglas MacArthur for nearly six years. He had a suite at the hotel while serving as military advisor to the government of the Philippines. (Catharine Hamm / Los Angeles Times)

October 1944: MacArthur returns, coming ashore at Leyte in the southern Philippines

Feb. 3, 1945: Battle of Manila begins

March 4, 1945: Manila officially liberated, but the city is devastated by bombing and the Manila Massacre, in which about 100,000 people were killed.

Aug. 6, 1945: U.S. drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan

Aug. 9, 1945: U.S. drops atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan

Aug. 15, 1945: Japanese Emperor Hirohito announces Japan's surrender

Sept. 2, 1945: Japan officially surrenders aboard the Missouri

December 1945: Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita sentenced to death for the Manila Massacre and other war crimes.

Feb. 23, 1946: Yamashita hanged in the Philippines

April 3, 1946: Japanese Gen. Masaharu Homma, who directed the battle for Bataan, is executed for his role in the death march and atrocities committed in prison camps. American and Filipino forces make up the firing squad.

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